Slit/Robo pathway: a promising therapeutic target for cancer

Drug Discov Today. 2015 Jan;20(1):156-64. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Sep 20.

Abstract

Axon guidance molecules, slit glycoprotein (Slit) and Roundabout receptor (Robo), have implications in the regulation of physiological processes. Recent studies indicate that Slit and Robo also have important roles in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. The Slit/Robo pathway can be considered a master regulator for multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on the role of these molecules and their associated signaling pathways in cancer progression and metastasis. Overall, the current available data suggest that the Slit/Robo pathway could be a promising target for development of anticancer drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Roundabout Proteins
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • slit protein, vertebrate